Taara has officially spun off from Alphabet and is shaking up the Internet industry with its laser-based technology. Its revolutionary approach promises dramatically faster speeds and lower costs than traditional satellite systems. A small team of engineers in California believes it can outdo one of the most ambitious Internet projects ever launched. With a few custom-built devices and a new company name — Taara — the team broke away from Google’s parent company, Alphabet, aiming to reshape global connectivity. This time, though, they’re doing it from the ground up, not from space.
The Mountain View–based group has developed an Internet system that uses laser beams instead of fiber cables or satellites. Their pitch is bold: deliver connections faster than a standard Starlink antenna for just a fraction of the price. On March 17, 2025, Taara officially became independent, opening the door to direct investments and new partnerships.
High-speed Internet powered by light Taara’s system transmits data through focused light beams — known as Lightbridges — capable of sending information up to 20 kilometers at speeds of 20 gigabits per second. Each device, about the size of a traffic light, can be mounted on rooftops or poles, maintaining a clear line of sight.
Unlike traditional fiber networks, which require trenches and cabling, Taara’s setup can be deployed without any digging. That makes it perfect for challenging terrain — over rivers, across valleys, between buildings, or in isolated regions with little broadband infrastructure.
This isn’t an entirely new idea. Similar “free-space optical” systems have existed since the late 1990s, but earlier versions were limited by
weathe r conditions and fragile alignment mechanisms. Taara says its next-generation devices have solved those issues, using advanced beam tracking and durable engineering to maintain a stable connection.
VIDEO Early rollouts in Africa and California Before gaining independence, Taara quietly began testing its network in real-world environments. In Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it filled key gaps in the city’s communication infrastructure. In Nairobi, Kenya, Taara’s systems connected underserved neighborhoods. And in the United States, its Lightbridges provided high-speed connectivity at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California.
The company says these trials proved that its
light-speed system can deliver fast, stable Internet where laying cables would be far too expensive or complicated. Rather than replacing satellite coverage, the goal is to bridge the “last mile” — connecting the places that need it most.
Founder and CEO Mahesh Krishnaswamy explained that Taara is targeting regions long ignored by traditional providers. “We can deliver a connection 10 to 100 times faster than a typical Starlink antenna, and at a much lower cost,” he told reporters.
VIDEO A new chip, and a new direction By 2026, Taara plans to push its innovation even further with a miniaturized version of its Lightbridge system — a
microchip small enough to fit on your fingertip. This downsized version will remove the need for bulky mounts and optics, slashing installation costs and simplifying setup.
The chip will use a section of the electromagnetic spectrum between infrared and visible light while maintaining data transmission distances of up to 20 kilometers. Moving from complex mirror-based systems to a near plug-and-play model marks what Taara calls a major simplification of its design — a critical step toward widespread adoption.
The company’s origins go back to Alphabet’s Project Loon, which once tried to deliver Internet through high-altitude balloons. When that project shut down in 2021, Krishnaswamy and his team reimagined its optical link technology for terrestrial use — giving birth to Taara.
How Taara fits alongside Starlink Although it’s often compared to Elon Musk’s Starlink, Taara plays a different role in the Internet ecosystem. Starlink delivers global coverage from low Earth orbit, using thousands of satellites to reach remote communities. Taara, meanwhile, connects specific points on the ground — villages, towns, or event venues — where localized demand makes terrestrial infrastructure more practical.
Eric Teller, who leads “moonshot” initiatives at Alphabet’s X division, called the spin-off a strategic move. “They can now tap into capital markets, attract investors, and scale up faster than before,” he said.
Today, Taara operates in 12 countries and employs about 20 people. While manufacturing and pricing details remain under wraps, the company’s mission is clear: to expand access worldwide and help close the global
digital divide for the three billion people who still lack reliable Internet service.
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